By ROBERT GAVIN Staff writer

Published 1:00 am, Thursday, August 6, 2009

ALBANY – A man accused of running an Internet-linked sex den out of a Colonie home last winter pleaded not guilty to felony prostitution promotion Wednesday in Albany County Court.

Joseph Speranza, 38, was arraigned on an indictment that he arranged prostitution between an undercover police officer and an 18-year-old woman Jan. 21 inside 26B Knauf Lane, off Albany Shaker Road. The apartment sits at the end of a dead-end street, near The Crossings town park.

Court papers allege Speranza accepted $300 from the undercover police officer, who posed as a john after responding to an advertisement on the Craigslist Web site.

Authorities previously said a suspicious Speranza checked out the cop's cell phone number through a special system on the Internet, and inspected his unmarked car after letting him inside.

Speranza and the woman were arrested during a two-day prostitution crackdown by the Albany County Sheriff's Department that included eight arrests at four sites in Colonie, including two hotels.

His attorney, Andrew Safranko, said the defense has not previously had a chance to review evidence against his client, such as the Craigslist advertisement. He said it would be reviewed and they would proceed from there.

A Craigslist ad that was allegedly used touted sexy women — identified as "home run hitters" —– who would be available at an "in-call" location.

It described the location as "safe" and "discreet."

But at the time of the arrest, authorities alleged sex inside the Knauf Lane apartment was being filmed for the Internet. They said online customers could view the lurid escapades for $85 – but were unsure if any so-called johns had any idea they were being filmed.

Speranza has never been charged in connection with any alleged filming.

Court papers said Speranza is college-educated, married and employed full-time in "construction and extractive occupations."